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SB778Introduced in the Senate

Relating To Sentencing.

EngrossedHouse Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Introduced by Karl Rhoads, District 13

What does this bill do?

Plain-English breakdown

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Official description

Prohibits emerging adult defendants from being sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. (SD1)

Where it stands

Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.

December 8, 2025

How did lawmakers vote?

SenateStage: Senate Judiciary: Passed, With Amendments · January 31, 2025

4

Yes

0

No

1

Absent or Not Voting

5 senators recorded in this Senate vote. Colors show vote categories only, not whether a vote was good or bad.

What do people think?

Citizen Voice

How would you vote on this bill?

An unofficial public opinion poll. It does not affect the bill or the official vote.

One response per device. Location is self-reported and not verified. Results are informal and not a scientific survey.

See how each senator voted

SenatorDistrictVote
Joy San Buenaventura2Yes
Stanley Chang9Yes
Karl Rhoads13Yes
Mike Gabbard21Yes
Brenton Awa23Absent

Bill history

  1. Introduced.

  2. Passed First Reading.

  3. Referred to JDC.

  4. The committee(s) on JDC has scheduled a public hearing on 01-31-25 9:15AM; Conference Room 016 & Videoconference.

  5. The committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in JDC were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Rhoads, Gabbard, Chang, San Buenaventura; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Awa.

  6. Reported from JDC (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 816) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and placement on the calendar for Third Reading.

  7. Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1).

  8. 48 Hrs. Notice 03-04-25.

  9. Passed Third Reading, as amended (SD 1). Ayes, 24; Aye(s) with reservations: Senator(s) DeCoite, Elefante, Richards. Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 1 (Senator(s) Chang). Transmitted to House.

  10. Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 196) in amended form (SD 1).

  11. Pass First Reading

  12. Referred to JHA, referral sheet 19

  13. Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.

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